HP 2215 - cases, wifi and program questions

[mnealtx]

Howdy again,

Hardware:
HP 2215
512Mb CF (in PDA) with ebooks/work manuals/prog install file storage
256Mb SD (in mp3 player) with songs in .acp format
64Mb SD (in PDA) not really used for anything right now, but probably use for backup files.

Software:
WisBar Advance
System Monitor
Journal Bar
Scarybear Software's Quick Agenda and Quick Tasks.
All programs are running from default location (main memory?)

Case: I've ordered a Sena case for my 2215, and would like to know if it's possible to store a CF WiFi card in the case? Admittedly, I'm looking to save space and not have to carry around a bunch of extra hardware if I don't have to. At this point, I'm leaning more toward an SD WiFi card just for this reason. If you can convince me otherwise, please do!

Programs: Would it be possible to run the progs listed above from the storage cards in order to free up space, or do they NEED to be in main memory? I'd like to keep main memory as uncluttered as possible for faster program loads/general response times.

Other Questions: I currently use an MP3 player (panasonic) that stores the songs in a Realplayer .acp file format. Does anyone know of a program that is compatible with the .acp format, or do I need to re-save the files as .wma? Any suggestions are welcome. Again, I wouldn't mind converting the files if need be to put them on the 2215 - I'd rather carry just the 2215 than carry both it and the mp3 player.

[Sven Johannsen]

Partial answer...I keep my Socket WiFi card in my 2215 SENA case. The Symbol is the same size, I have one, it works too. Others I can't comment on. Most seem bigger which could be a problem. The SENA case has SD pockets, but these cannot be used if there is a CF card (WiFi or other) in there. Just physically won't work.

I can tell you the Scarybear stuff doesn't work from an flash card on my machine. Doesn't even work from the RAM disk on my PPCTechs RAM expansion on my 4155. The reason genarally accepted is that the drivers that allow reading the Flash cards or additional RAM aren't fully initialized when those startup programs try to run. I would expect that most things that are start up on reset sorts of things, like skins, today screen apps, Calligrapher, need to be in main RAM. You can certainly try each one. It is pretty evident when it doesn't work.

[mnealtx]

Sven,

Thanks, those are the types of answers I was hoping for!

Ok, so looks like I'll be in the market for an SD WiFi card, then. I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you say the SD pockets "cannot be used if there is a CF card in there". Could you elaborate?

Also, how do you like the Socket/Symbol cards? I've seen a lot more complaints about the SanDisk cards than about the Socket cards.

Memory: I still have the install files for the various progs on the CF card and on my computer, so I guess I'll try installing them one by one onto the CF and rebooting and see how they work.

Anyone with more info/opinions, please chime in - I'm always open for suggestions on ways to better use this thing.....

[jimski]

I concur with Quick Agenda and Quick Tasks needing to be loading in RAM. Journal Bar is another app that must be loaded in RAM (they thoughtfully remind me during every upgrade).

Don't know about WisBar and System Monitor, but I think they are also going to need to be saved in RAM. I have had problems trying to load or run any plugins or startup apps in anything but RAM. These will not work from iPAQ File Store either.

[mnealtx]

Thanks, Jimski - I appreciate the info.

I've pulled system monitor off - I didn't realize that WisBar had a battery/memory applet, so that's a BIT of extra memory back. I suppose I'll just have to live with it.

I'm still hoping someone will chime in with a solution to the .acp file format... anyone?

Thanks again for any/all info -

[iPAQFanatic]

I have my Wisbar Advance running from my Ipaq File Store and I have no problems.

As far as The SENA case has SD pockets, but these cannot be used if there is a CF card (WiFi or other) in there. Just physically won't work.


There are two pockets in the sena case for SD cards, and one pocket for a mirror or business card, and pocket behind the 2 sd card pockets. I imagine, that is were Sven is storing his CF Wifi card. Since the case is fairly tight and flat, I imagine that sticking a CF card back there would not leave enough slack to stick a SD card in either of the pockets. I just tried sticking my CF ram card back there and it fits nice, and yes it seems too tight to also stick my SD card in a pocket. Perhaps with time is might loosen, but that's not what I want.

[mnealtx]

Fanatic -

Thanks, that helps make it a bit clearer. Like I mentioned above, I've already got a 512Mb CF card that has my ebooks, work manuals and the like on it, so I wasn't really considering a CF WiFi card unless there was overwhelming reasons why to swap. Your info just helps "seal the deal" for me - thanks!